Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy raised an important and ongoing issue that has persisted for some time and is of great concern to the local community in Whitegate. The Deputy will appreciate that the operation of the Whitegate regional public water supply is a matter for Uisce Éireann, which has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services, planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. In turn, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, as an environmental regulator, is responsible for setting quality standards and enforcing compliance with EU directives and national regulations for the provision of drinking water.

I understand from inquiries made with Uisce Éireann that the boil water notice currently in place for the Whitegate public water supply was issued on 29 October 2022 following consultation between Uisce Éireann, Cork County Council and the Health Service Executive, HSE. This boil water notice, which remains in place today, was issued to protect approximately 9,500 customers in Whitegate, Aghada, Churchtown, Ballycotton, Saleen, Shanagarry, Ballinacura and areas of Cloyne. The notice was issued as a result of increased turbidity, as the Deputy said, in the raw water, which can happen at source as it is susceptible to raw water quality issues after rainfall events. I understand it is a karst limestone area and is particularly susceptible to issues of turbidity. Boil water notices have been issued on Whitegate public water supply a number of times over the past few years. I appreciate the Deputy's comments about not receiving an update from Irish Water since 16 March, which I note.

The operation of Whitegate public water supply is a matter for Uisce Éireann, which has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. I understand that in the short term, upgrade works are complete and Uisce Éireann hopes to be able to lift the boil water notice in June. However, the raw water supply remains susceptible to weather-related changes in turbidity, which will be addressed once the new plant is operational. As always, public health is Uisce Éireann's number one priority and there is a possibility it may have to reissue the boil water notice if the raw water quality deteriorates or there is a spell of adverse weather. The cloudy, opaque look of turbidity is a visual indicator of water quality. It must be taken seriously.

In the longer term, the delivery of a new water treatment plant as the permanent solution to issues at Whitegate is under way. The project is currently moving through the detailed design and statutory approval stage. Planning permission was granted on 23 May 2023 and the tender process will follow to procure a contractor to deliver construction of the project.

Uisce Éireann has a strong customer service focus through its water charges plan and customer charter, which outlines the standard of service customers should expect to receive. The water charges plan sets out a compensation mechanism when water quality is compromised and unfit for human consumption, such as when boil water and drinking water restriction notices apply.

Business customers who pay charges are entitled to a rebate under the customer handbook as agreed with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU. Adjustments are made via customers’ bills. This only applies to water used for drinking. Implementation of the water charges plan is a matter in the first instance for Uisce Éireann. Any issues that cannot be resolved by Uisce Éireann to the satisfaction of the customer can be referred, under the formal complaints process, to the CRU.

The Department’s priority is to ensure that people’s health is protected and that adequate water is available to all consumers. We all want to see this notice lifted without undue delay but only when the HSE and EPA have confirmed the water supply is safe can we do so.

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